Meet the Animals at Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean
There are lots of animals at Puzzlewood that you can get up close to.
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Pygmy Goats Runner Ducks Silkie Hens Rabbits Soay Sheep |
Donkeys Shetland Ponies Highland cattle Call Ducks Hens |
Pygmy Goats
Pygmy goats are gorgeous. Africa and Alice were born in February 2008, and came to live in Puzzlewood in April 2008. Their favourite games are scampering about and balancing on logs.
Runner Ducks
The Indian Runner Duck is native of India and Malaysia and is an extraordinary looking duck. It has very short thigh bones, meaning that its feet are further back, making Runner ducks stand up straight to balance themselves, just like penguins. In fact, they are sometimes mistakenly called 'Penguin Ducks'.
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Silkie Hens
The Silkie is a variety of chicken from Eastern Asia. Silkies have a fluffy appearance as all their feathers are very much like down. They are considered excellent mothers, but their broodiness makes them a poor breed for eggs, and their black skin and meat means they are not sold to eat. Why do we keep them?, well just look at them !!
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Rabbits
Rabbits are always popular with the children, and they are happy to be cuddled
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Soay Sheep
Soay sheep are a primitive breed of sheep originating from the island of Soay in the St. Kilda archipelago, NW Scotland. They are similar to the wild ancestors of domestic sheep. They are smaller and hardier than common domestic sheep. In spring time they shed their wool, which is coloured and sought after for many craft uses.
Soay sheep are classified as "vulnerable" on the RBST survival watch list.
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Donkeys
Donkeys are asses, and the male donkey is called a Jack Ass. Girls are called Jinnies.
Unlike horse fur, donkey fur is not waterproof, and so they must have shelter when it rains. Donkeys have developed very loud voices, which can be heard for over three kilometers, to keep in contact with other donkeys of their herd over the wide spaces of the desert. Donkeys have larger ears than horses to hear the distant calls of fellow donkeys and to help cool the donkey's blood.
A donkeys' tough digestive system can break down near-inedible vegetation and extract moisture from food more efficiently.
BackShetland Ponies
Tara and Tallulah,were both born at Puzzlewood, and on 11th June 2008, Tara gave birth to a lovely baby boy whom we named Nero, as a result of a competition in conjuction with local newspapers.
The Shetland pony is a type of small horse that is very strong for its size. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches to an official maximum of 42 inches.
Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are quite intelligent. They originated in the Shetland islands, off Scotland, but many were were exported across England to places such as the Forest of Dean, as their strength and size made them ideal for work down the mines, pulling wagons of coal, slate and ore.
Their short lives down the mines were miserable, and thankfully, Tara and Tallulah don't have to endure the hardships that their great Grand Grandfather did at the turn of the previous century in the local mines.
BackHighland Cattle
Highlands are known as a hardy breed (most likely due to the rugged nature of their native Scottish Highlands) and they eat plants other cattle cannot manage. They both graze and browse. The meat tends to be leaner than most beef, as highlands get most of their insulation from their thick shaggy hair rather than fat. This coat also makes them a good breed for cold Northern climates.
The Highlands at Puzzlewood enjoy acres of grass to roam.
BackCall Ducks
The Call Duck is an energetic and active duck. They are small, with a plump body,round head, and short legs. It is vocal with a high pitched call. The Call Duck comes in a variety of standard colours including White
Call ducks get their name, from when they were used to help hunters catch other ducks. They were kept in ponds, and their loud calls used to attract passing ducks down to the pond. then the hunters would pounce!!
Our ducks just make loud calls for their breakfast each morning.
BackHens
The hens at Puzzlewood are Buff Orpingtons (brown) and Brahmas .